By Horacio González Moncada, Javier Ceseña and Steve Dryden

Sometimes you never really know where an article or a column will go. Amazing as it may seem, written words often take on a life of their own, often departing from the original intent or thoughts of the writer. For example, this column, Auka, seems to have a spirit of its own!

We first started out in hopes of communicating the history, culture, special events, news and needs of Mexico’s Kumiai people of the Guadalupe Valley area [spelled Kumiai in Baja California, and Kumeyaay north of the border]. Now in just eight weeks we’ve become a communication network for all the native peoples of Baja California, including Kumiai, Paipai, Cucapah and Kiliwa. In addition, we’re now including news and project information from Comunidad para Baja California, a volunteer organization dedicated to providing education services to improve the lives of indigenous peoples in this region of Mexico.

This column is a real challenge for me personally because I have to overcome two language barriers (with the help of translators), and now I understand that staying in Spanish classes rather than skipping out to go surfing on the beaches of San Diego would of been a wiser move! Regardless of the language and cultural differences, it has been a very rewarding experience in learning about the history and culture of our indigenous peoples. Also, it has given our readers and myself an opportunity to meet and learn about the many unique and dynamic individuals involved in this community and the various support groups.

In the first column of Auka we mentioned the need for some community support, and in just a few weeks we have received an overwhelming positive response from the wine community, interested individuals, businesses and organizations. It’s inspiring and refreshing to know that there are so many compassionate and caring people who are willing to support our indigenous peoples in creating a sustainable economy while helping them protect their lifestyle, culture and community.

This region of Mexico is experiencing economic growth in the wine, business, real estate and travel industries and it’s wonderful to see our indigenous peoples given an opportunity to participate through the understanding and generosity of the community. And it’s even better to see the pride in the eyes and feel the spirit in the hearts of our native brothers and sisters as they blend their artisan economics in harmony with their cultural and traditional lifestyle while integrating and communicating with modern society. The most important element I’ve learned from being the coordinator for this column is, “when you give to others without condition and with good intent, ultimately, your gift of giving is returned hundred fold.” In addition, by working with the native peoples of Baja California and their support agencies, I’ve met the most appreciative and respectful community I’ve ever dealt with.

Last week’s event, Nativa, held at the harbor side in Ensenada, was hugely’ successful for the native peoples of Baja California. Over 5,000 visitors attended the two-day event featuring native art, jewelry, pottery, and crafts. Many of the ninety native artisans were completely sold out of goods by the final day. Guests to the event were delighted with native song and dance from local tribes, and from native communities of Arizona and California.

The event was designed in advance to give participating artisans an opportunity to learn business skills, marketing techniques, money exchange, point of purchase methods and sales tips. Awards were given to the vendors who best presented the learned skills using creative merchandise displays, quality customer service, and quality products. First place awards went to a group from the community of San Antonio de las Minas in Guadalupe Valley.

The event was important in the fact that if gave members of the various native communities of Baja California an opportunity to mingle, visit, trade and share information. Special thanks from the native communities for support of this event go out to the Viejas and Pechanga Bands; Indian Affairs Commission; local, state and federal agencies; Global Green Grant; Beatrice de la Torre de Mancillas (the mayor’s wife); CUNA; ADESU; and Comunidad. Additional gratitude goes out to the members of the wine community in Guadalupe Valley who are interested in supporting the event next year.

A visit to the Kumiai community of San Antonio Necua in Guadalupe Valley will give you an opportunity to see the work of Comunidad Para Baja California. Volunteers from this group and members of the Kumiai community worked together to build a new septic system and bathroom facility for the community school. The project included the installation of new sinks, toilets, and building materials, all donated by Comunidad. This joint venture was designed to incorporate members of the native community so they can maintain and repair the facilities as needed. In addition to this project, Comunidad will be transporting fourteen Kumiai children from the community of San Jose de la Zorra to Ensenada for dental work as part of the 1,000 smiles program.

Tom Hogan, a former technology-marketing executive in Silicon Valley, founded Comunidad three years ago. This former VP of corporate marketing at Oracle, Bay Networks, Lucent and VitalSigns Software now splits his time from teaching college studies to directing projects for Comunidad para Baja California. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing health care and educational services to improve the lives of the indigenous tribes of Baja California.

Comunidad follows a medical philosophy called “symptom to source” with its aid. This program follows medical and dental care projects by setting up a system of ongoing assistance such as medical records, documenting constituents’ history, preventive medicine and follow-up care. In addition, the regular care of native communities and the interaction from these projects gives Comunidad the ability to address infrastructure issues that affect health and quality of life. Two primary goals of this organization are Salud (medical services) and Escuela a Escuela (educational outreach), with considerable attention also focused on infrastructure problems that are impacting the health and education of native peoples.

Comunidad works in cooperation with local Mexican agencies such as CUNA, ADESU, and DIF, which are likewise dedicated to creating a self-sustaining model in which native peoples will receive the needed support and training to be able to take charge of their future. The most unique feature of this organization is in the fact that it is a true startup. They apply the rules of Silicon Valley to what they are doing. For instance, they use MBO’s (management by objective) and spreadsheet grids for each project. When a donor comes along they can show exactly where the needs are, how much they cost, and how the money is spent. For example, US$13,000 can immunize an entire tribe against hepatitis, or even a few dollars can have a major impact of the lives of native peoples.

Comunidad seeks project-specific sponsorship based on the needs identified by their representatives, the tribes, and local authorities with whom they work. Projects could involve development of potable water systems, clinic construction, school facility improvements, and many other needs. Comunidad is seeking doctors and dentists in the region who are interested in helping our native peoples. To learn more or to volunteer, visit their web site at www.bajacomunidad.org, or call Tom Hogan at (408) 358-9686 or (408) 691-2915.

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Horacio González Moncada is Director of ADESU; Javier Ceseña is ADESU Project Manager and a member of the Kumiai community. Steve Dryden is the Guadalupe contributor for the Baja Times. For additional information about ADESU visit their web site at www.adesu.org, or call [52] 646-178-8093.

Reprinted with permission from the Baja Times (AUKA: Communication from the Native Peoples of Baja California, August 16, 2006)